Houston's 10 Best New Year's Eve Shows

So the world didn't end the way you all wanted it to a few weeks ago. What a tragedy. Life goes on, the road goes on forever, the party never ends, blah blah blah.

The good news is that we all have New Year's Eve to look forward to on Monday, when the party scene will alight with hope for 2013 and both toilets and faces around Houston will be covered in puke and lipstick.

Just when you were still drying out from Christmas parties and family gatherings, you get pulled back into the fray. It seems that upon further inspection, Fireball is a spirit not to be fucked with, as the kids say.

So, what is there to do on New Year's Eve in Houston anyways?

Tony Toni Tone & Jon BArena Theatre Remember these guys? They had that one song when we were in college/high school/elementary school? It was always on MTV/KRBE? Yeah, that one.

DJ SunThe Flat Of course the NYE holiday won't stop DJ Sun's weekly party at the Flat off Commonwealth. The damned thing starts up at 9 p.m. and you will probably hear some of his upcoming album One Hundred as the evening progresses.

Reckless Kelly with Scooter Brown Band & Whiskey MyersHouse of Blues (Music Hall) This should be a real stompin' good time, with the Reckless Kelly fellas and the Scooter Brown Band sating the red dirt masses inside the Inner Loop. In fact, the entire Houston Pavilions complex seems to be hopping on Monday night...

New Year's Eve Bash with ThunderpantsHouse of Blues (Bronze Peacock Room & Foundation Room) If Texas country doesn't scream party at you, then '80s tribute act Thunderpants probably will. They even have a guy dressed up like Beetlejuice in their band!

And if both of those events seem too country and pedestrian, there is a $75 a person NYE party in the Foundation Room you can also hit up. That price also includes a pretty big buffet, so dinner is covered.

The Allen Oldies Band, Mike Stinson & ThrillContinental Club Jesus, the Continental Club folks aren't just partying on Monday night, they are also throwing a pre-New Year's bash on Sunday with the Hustlers Brass Band. You might as well just crash upstairs at Chris Gray or Nick Gaitan's place and get some rest before the whole thing starts all over again on Monday evening. [Yeah, that'll happen -- ed.] Remember, the Island on Main also has Double Trouble and the Big Top if you need to get some fresh air.

Rich O'Toole & Justin Van SantFirehouse Saloon Them Firehouse boys sweeten the deal by offering up a champagne toast (no, not champagne that tastes like toast) and all the breakfast tacos you can handle (within human reason) for their NYE bash. Oh, and Rich O'Toole and Justin Van Sant aren't too bad either.

BombastaUnder the Volcano Thousand-piece San Antonio party band Bombasta invades Under the Volcano for the bar's NYE bash, which will run you $25, which gets you champagne at midnight and breakfast eats. The bar will also be serving its famous steak dinners, which could put in a food coma before the clock even strikes 12.

New Year's Eve GlitterBallRich's There are too many DJs playing this to count. Just remember to take your Vitamin C and drink plenty of water and do not get into any strange cars. Apparently this thing goes for almost twelve hours, so dress accordingly? I don't know how these work.